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Types of Wolves
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Glossary
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The canid family consists of thirty-five living species. Eight
of these species inhabit North America. These North American species
include gray wolves, red wolves, coyotes, red foxes, gray foxes,
kit foxes, swift foxes and arctic foxes. The eight species may be
organized in three general categories: wolves, coyotes and foxes.
are the largest members of the canid family. This is the species
from which our pet dogs were domesticated. Wolves were once the
most widely distributed wild mammals. They inhabited most of the
available land in the northern hemisphere. Due to the destruction
of their habitat and persecution by humans, they now occupy only
about two-thirds of their former range worldwide, and only about
3 percent of the continental 48 United States. Many people have
used the terms "brush wolves" or "prairie wolves" when referring
to coyotes. Coyotes, however, are not wolves. Coyotes and wolves
are in the same family (Canidae) and genus (Canis), but are separate
species, just as foxes and wolves are separate species.
are smaller than most mature wolves. Resilient animals, they have
higher population numbers and inhabit a much larger range than do
wolves. Coyotes are able to adapt to change and have a strong tolerance
for human encroachment. Like wolves, coyotes have been persecuted
because of their predatory nature. They are still trapped and killed
in predator control programs throughout North America.
match the coyote's ability to cope with civilization. Gray and red
foxes inhabit about three-quarters of the United States. Swift and
kit foxes inhabit only small portions of the western United States.
Arctic foxes live in the northern portions of Canada, Alaska and
outlying areas of Greenland.
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